Galesburg schools will start on time – Aug. 15

GALESBURG — Galesburg District 205 schools will open on time despite the funding issues with which state government is wrestling.

In a letter addressed to district stakeholders Superintendent of Schools John Asplund assured parents the district can function well into October without state funds.

“To be clear, the district will begin the year on time, the first day for students is Tuesday Aug. 15,” Asplund wrote in the letter.

“We are fully aware of where we are financially, and we just want people armed with the facts going forward,” he told The Register-Mail.

The district’s education fund has $8 million, and that will last until October. If the governor cannot get legislation he is willing to sign, or the General Assembly can’t override his amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, the district will have to start borrowing against future tax revenue to cover operating expenses.

“I don’t see any scenario where the General Assembly will let it go out that far. We don’t believe it will happen, but we have to least prepare for that,” Asplund said. “In October we can start tax anticipation warrants against future property tax revenue. If it goes until March, we will have to stop that. That’s a loosing proposition. It’s like a payday loan. We would love not to do that. I think it is pretty remote possibility.”

He urged district residents to contact their state representatives. In the letter he said, “Please take time to contact our area legislators to tell them that this issue needs to be resolved immediately for the sake of all our children.”